UAE hybrid sales on the up

Increasing hybrid sales is key to sustainability in the nation, says Toyota

How do you convince a nation of V8-enthusiasts used to being surrounded by giant hunks of metal and with petrol prices hovering around the AED1.78 range to drop their fuel-guzzling monster machines and buy something environmentally sound? Something powered by a washing machine motor, for all they care?

Well, according to Al-Futtaim Motors the current demand for hybrid cars in the region is already viable enough to warrant more and more hybrid models being introduced to the region.

In fact, Al-Futtaim Motors, the exclusive Toyota distributor in the UAE, has announced a 535 per cent increase in hybrid Toyota Prius sales for the first half of the year compared to the same period in 2016. The Toyota Camry Hybrid fared only slightly worse, accounting for an increase of 430 per cent.

Of course the Prius was only launched in the country last year, promising fuel economy equivalent to 100km covered at a cost of AED7.12, that is to say around 25km on a litre of petrol.

As for the Camry Hybrid, Al-Futtaim Motors says the car also lessens the burden on the environment since it’s mostly a fleet-sales model with over 1,000 examples serving duty as cabs in a number of taxi operators such as Dubai Taxi Corporation and Emirates Cab.

“Our hybrid cars offer an immediate solution to a greener UAE, requiring no additional infrastructure development, no external charging and no changes in driver behaviour,” said Saud Abbasi, Managing Director of Toyota at Al-Futtaim Motors.

“This positive growth for both the Prius and the Camry Hybrid are proof that our customers are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental and financial benefits of owning hybrid cars,” Abbasi added.

According to Al-Futtaim motors studies show that the average driver can save up to a tonne of CO2 a year by driving a hybrid vehicle, while an entire taxi fleet of hybrids can save up to 30 per cent of fuel while emitting 30 per cent less harmful gases.

Fadi on Deesch Papke assigned CEO of Porsche Middle East and Africa FZETo whom it may concernI would like to share our frustration in dealing with Porsche and Al Nabooda in the last 10 years!After our first Cayan for my wife back in 2008 and the current Macan 2015 we decided to write this letter to Porsche directly.The main objective of AL Nabooda is to overcharge their customers specially on spare parts and the denial on the warranty coverage even on small requests and when you complaint about the prices they offer a big discount! when I refused to renew the Cayan warranty they agreed to change the hand rest!By the end of 2017 we decided to sell our Cayan and move to the new Macan model and that was the biggest mistake!We have bought a Macan S 2015 from Al Nabooda after waiting for several months, from the first 2 months we got a notification on the dashboard that we need to top up the oil, we went to the service center and they did it for us without any explanation!We continued on this annoying practice every couple of months!Another issue in the car was the AC bad smell which Al Nabooda charged us to change the filter and do the cleaning which was not covered by the warranty!This week I went back again to renew the useless warranty without clear answer on the oil consumption except the Porsche cars consume oil!I have been living in Dubai for the last 23 years. I had Boxter, Cayman, Cayan, BMW, Mercedes, etc... and currently I drive Maserati Ghibli and I have never heard that a car consume oil every 1000 km and above. I drive my Maserati car for 20,000 km without toping up or changing the oil!They also called me this week to inform me that the brake pads needs to be changed and the price is AED 4,700 and when I complained suddenly the price went down to AED 3,500!Please allow me to share my frustration with Al Nabooda and my great experience with Al Tayar Motors since 5 years and the way they respect warranty agreements with amazing services.We also decided to sell the Macan and never come back to any brand under Al Nabooda!